New Super Mario Bros U review round-up

With every new Nintendo console comes a Super Mario launch title, and the moustachioed Italian plumber is making his Wii U debut with New Super Mario Bros U.

The game aims to recreate the beloved 2D platforming heritage of the series in a new light, but is this side-scrolling adventure been done too many times before? The critics answer.

New Super Mario Bros U currently sits on a Metascore of 82, and over on GameRankings it holds a score of 82.64 percent. Pretty impressive stuff – although, that’s what we expect from a first-part Mario game.

IGN – 9.1/10

“Nintendo’s approach here strikes a great balance in all areas, ranging from its difficulty to design to enemies and bosses” Read the full review.

Joystiq – 4.5/5

“There’s a sense of wonder again, of exploration and discovery. I’m not quite prepared to say New Super Mario Bros. U fully recaptures the spark of Mario’s 2D heyday, but it’s an impressive step in the right direction.” Read the full review.

EGM – 9/10

“A love-letter to the days of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World, New Super Mario Bros. U’s multiplayer modes, insane platforming, and beautiful HD graphics offer more than enough to provide hours of fun for gamers of all stripes.” Read the full review.

Destructoid – 8.5/10

“Players know exactly what they’re getting with this one — an entertaining and incomplex bit of gaming that provides challenge and smirks in equal measure. While certainly a “safe” game to launch with, it is by no means unremarkable and the only people who would fail to have fun are those with a fundamental aversion to Mario or platformers in general.” Read the full review.

Polygon – 8.5/10

“What separates New Super Mario Bros. U from its “New” predecessors: It adds something to the Mario formula. It’s exciting and full of inventive ideas.” Read the full review.

G4TV – 3.5/5

“New Super Mario Bros. U is a solid game, but one whose core experience is as conservative as can be and the level design, graphics, and sound are nearly identical to previous entries. The co-op features, however, are excellent, as are the new challenge modes.” Read the full review.